First Bird of 2008

It's tough to be in Cache Valley, Utah and not have Black-billed Magpie as your first bird of 2008. These birds were already calling outside when I woke up. This was also my first bird of 2000 when I spent Y2K in Cache Valley. Farmers there don't like them, but I do. They are smart and sharp-looking--a real Native Spirit of the Intermountain West. (photo: Jim Rorabaugh)